Powered toothbrush with associated oral solution dispenser mechanism

Abstract

An oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon, includes a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, the housing having a recess therein for receiving a cartridge containing the oral solution, a pump disposed in the housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge, and an outlet nozzle extending from the housing and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from the pump and from the housing. A head having bristles thereon is adapted to interconnect with the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, to facilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from the outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles.

1. A disposable oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a pre-assembled, self-contained, reusable powered toothbrush handle having a closed front end and having a drive coupling disposed thereon, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing adapted for releasable attachment to the handle, the housing extending alongside, and parallel to, at least a portion of the length of the handle, said housing being adapted to receive a consumable cartridge containing the oral solution; 
 a manually-operated dispensing pump connected to said housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge; 
 an outlet nozzle connected to the dispensing pump and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from said pump; and 
 a head comprising a longitudinally extending stem having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the stem having bristles thereon and the proximal end of the stem being adapted to releasably interconnect with the handle, the stem having a length sufficient to significantly space the bristles from the handle, the stem having a passageway extending between a distal opening located on the distal end of the stem adjacent to the bristles and a proximal opening located on the proximal end of the stem, the proximal end of the stem releasably interconnecting with the drive coupling of the handle such that the drive coupling of the handle can move the stem and hence the bristles, and the proximal end of the stem releasably interconnecting the proximal opening of the passageway with the outlet nozzle of the handle for delivering the oral solution from the cartridge to the bristles; 
 wherein said housing is adapted to slidably receive the handle therein; 
 wherein said housing is provided with a spring lock for releasably locking the handle in said housing. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said pump is provided with an inlet needle extending therefrom and adapted to penetrate a distal end of the cartridge to place said pump in communication with the oral solution in the cartridge. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the inlet needle extends into the cartridge less than half the length of the cartridge. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said pump is provided with a flexible wall and is operable by manually compressing and releasing the flexible wall. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said head is provided with a first connector for connecting with the handle drive coupling and a second connector for connecting with the outlet nozzle. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said head is provided with a fluid conduit extending from the head second connector to proximate the bristles. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said housing is provided with a recess with biased detents therein for releasably holding the cartridge in the housing recess. 
   
   
     8. An oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, said housing being adapted to receive a cartridge containing the oral solution; 
 a pump disposed on said housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge; 
 an outlet nozzle mounted on said housing and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from said pump and from said housing; and 
 a head having bristles thereon and adapted to interconnect with the handle drive coupling and said housing outlet nozzle; 
 whereby to facilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from said outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles, 
 wherein said housing is adapted to slidably receive the handle therein, 
 and wherein said housing is provided with a spring lock for releasably locking the handle in said housing. 
 
   
   
     9. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said pump is provided with an inlet needle extending therefrom and adapted to penetrate a distal end of the cartridge to place said pump in communication with the oral solution in the cartridge. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the inlet needle extends into the cartridge less than half the length of the cartridge. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said pump is provided with a flexible wall and is operable by manually compressing and releasing the flexible wall. 
   
   
     12. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said head is provided with a first connector for connecting with the handle drive coupling and a second connector for connecting with said outlet nozzle. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said head is provided with a fluid conduit extending from the head second connector to proximate the bristles. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said housing is provided with a recess with biased detents therein for releasably holding the cartridge in the housing recess. 
   
   
     15. A disposable oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a pre-assembled, self-contained, reusable powered toothbrush handle having a closed front end and having a drive coupling disposed thereon, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing adapted for manual attachment to and detachment from the handle, the housing, when attached to the handle, extending alongside, and parallel to, at least a portion of the length of the handle, said housing being adapted to receive a consumable cartridge containing the oral solution; 
 a manually-operated dispensing pump connected to said housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge; 
 an outlet nozzle connected to the dispensing pump and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from said pump; and 
 a head comprising a longitudinally extending stem having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the stem having bristles thereon and the proximal end of the stem being adapted to be manually connected to and disconnected from the handle, the stem having a length sufficient to significantly space the bristles from the handle, the stem having a passageway extending between a distal opening located on the distal end of the stem adjacent to the bristles and a proximal opening located on the proximal end of the stem, the proximal end of the stem being manually connectable with and disconnectable from the drive coupling of the handle such that, when interconnected, the drive coupling of the handle can move the stem and hence the bristles, and the proximal end of the stem selectively interconnecting the proximal opening of the passageway with the outlet nozzle of the handle for delivering the oral solution from the cartridge to the bristles; 
 wherein said housing is adapted to slidably receive the handle therein; 
 wherein said housing is provided with a spring lock for releasably locking the handle in said housing. 
 
   
   
     16. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said pump is provided with an inlet needle extending therefrom and adapted to penetrate a distal end of the cartridge to place said pump in communication with the oral solution in the cartridge. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 16  wherein the inlet needle extends into the cartridge less than half the length of the cartridge. 
   
   
     18. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said pump is provided with a flexible wall and is operable by manually compressing and releasing the flexible wall. 
   
   
     19. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said head is provided with a first connector for connecting with the handle drive coupling and a second connector for connecting with said outlet nozzle. 
   
   
     20. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 19  wherein said head is provided with a fluid conduit extending from the head second connector to proximate the bristles. 
   
   
     21. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said housing is provided with a recess with biased detents therein for releasably holding the cartridge in the housing recess.